http://tucson.bbb.org/WWWRoot//SitePage.aspx?site=72&id=a824b759-3137-43b5-aedf-a38056bcce73&debug=False 10 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 06:00:00 GMT The Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises consumers to be wary of tax refund anticipation loans, often marketed as "rapid refunds" in the form of checks or "gift" debit cards. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/bbb-advice-tax-refund-anticipation-loans-are-costly-whether-you-get-a-check-or-a-debit-card-25071 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 05:00:00 GMT Today's job market demands new skills, and career training schools, both public and private, offer training that can help you prepare for a new career. But which ones will really help you land a job? http://tucson.bbb.org/article/want-training-for-a-new-career-check-schools-with-bbb-first-20988 Wed, 26 May 2010 05:00:00 GMT If you've decided it's time to give your home a facelift - or if you need repairs, Better Business Bureau can help you find a trustworthy contractor. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/hiring-a-contractor-check-bbb-for-tips-estimates-and-reliability-reports-19789 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT As a result of the declining economy, the number of retailers closing their doors has increased substantially, leaving confused shoppers wondering what will happen to purchases they haven’t received, incomplete repairs, unused gift cards, and warranties. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/what-to-do-when-local-retailers-file-for-bankruptcy-18322 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT Free offers may sound good, but too often there are catches, clauses and fine print that can end up costing consumers money and aggravation, the Consumer Fraud Task Force warns. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/with-free-offers-devil-is-in-details-task-force-warns-15363 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT Online banking has made it easier and more convenient to manage business finances, but it also provides an opportunity for hackers to gain access to business accounts with the goal of making unauthorized money transfers. Better Business Bureau recommends small business owners implement a few simple steps to keep their financial information and transactions secure when banking online. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/five-steps-for-protecting-your-business-when-banking-online-15081 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT Credit card holders can circle February 22 on their calendar as the day when new consumer protections laid out in the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 kick in. The Better Business Bureau explains what these new consumer protections mean to cardholders across the U.S. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/new-credit-card-regulations-kick-in-15128 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT The popularity of social networking continues to grow among kids. Social networking sites can provide a secure way for kids to connect with each other, but they can also be exploited for any number of nefarious purposes. Better Business Bureau recommends parents take specific steps to keep their kids safe online. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/teach-your-kids-how-to-stay-safe-on-social-networks-15082 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT Most Americans will get assistance from a professional tax preparer or tax software when filing their taxes this year. The Better Business Bureau encourages taxpayers to use caution when selecting tax preparation help or they may get hit with headaches and mounting fines and fees if the return isn’t correct or filed late. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/tips-for-finding-a-trustworthy-tax-preparer-15129 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:00:00 GMT Online auctions can be a great place for finding deals at any time of year, but over the holidays such sites become hot spots for tracking down popular and hard-to-get gifts - such as new game consoles or must-have toys. The Better Business Bureau offers advice to shoppers on how to avoid getting ripped off when searching for bargains and hard-to-find presents through online auctions. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/be-a-savvy-bidder-using-online-auctions-14003 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:00:00 GMT Identity theft claimed 10 million victims in 2008, a 22 percent increase over 2007, according to a report from Javelin Strategy and Research. The Better Business Bureau warns that the holiday season provides many new opportunities for identity thieves to ply their trade and offers the following advice on how to keep your identity safe and secure both online and off. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/dont-fall-prey-to-identity-thieves-over-the-holidays-14012 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:00:00 GMT This holiday season, everyone will be on the hunt for the best deals. The Better Business Bureau warns online shoppers that some deals online for electronics are too good to be true. The BBB is advising holiday shoppers to keep an eye out for five red flags of unscrupulous consumer electronics stores. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/dont-get-ripped-off-when-buying-electronics-online-14010 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:00:00 GMT Once the excitement of the holidays wears off, it’s time to start reaping the promised rewards of mail-in rebates. Retailers and manufacturers are changing the way they issue rebates and the Better Business Bureau advises that it’s more important than ever to read the fine print when filing for a rebate. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/mail-in-rebates-now-available-in-paper-or-plastic-14004 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 06:00:00 GMT If you’ve ever locked yourself out of your car or home, you know what a hassle it can be. Your first thought is to get someone to help you out of your situation. If a family member or friend can’t deliver a spare set of keys, your next call might be to a local locksmith. But before you make that call, consider this: According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, some locksmiths advertising in your local telephone book may not be local at all. They may not have professional training. What’s more, some of them may use intimidating tactics and overcharge you. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/ftc-the-keys-to-hiring-a-reputable-locksmith-4482 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 05:00:00 GMT The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Care Labeling Rule requires manufacturers and importers to attach care instructions to garments. Updates to the Rule became effective on September 1, 2000. The Rule's section requiring a "reasonable basis" for care instructions has been changed to clarify what is required, and the definitions of "hot," "warm," and "cold" water have been changed to harmonize with the definitions used by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC). http://tucson.bbb.org/article/ftc-clothes-captioning-complying-with-the-care-labeling-rule--4379 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 05:00:00 GMT These Voluntary Guidelines represent a consensus of voluntary consumer disclosure practices reached by a panel of weight management companies, weight loss professionals, and consumer protection groups. They are not binding, do not represent legal standards or interpretation of any legal requirements, and are not sponsored or issued by any government agency. Providers1 should only make these disclosures to the extent that they are permissible under applicable state and federal law. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/ftc-voluntary-guidelines-for-providers-of-weight-loss-products-or-services-4452 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 05:00:00 GMT The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) prepared this booklet to help you comply with a new FTC rule that requires labeling on alternative fueled vehicles. The Labeling Requirements for Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fueled Vehicles Rule was issued in keeping with a directive in the Energy Policy Act of 1992. The Rule requires you to provide information to potential purchasers of alternative fueled vehicles to help them compare vehicles. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/ftc-labeling-alternative-fueled-vehicles-4354 Sun, 01 Jul 2007 05:00:00 GMT Alaska is famous for the rugged beauty of its mountains, rivers, and coastlines, as well as for the distinctive arts and crafts produced by Alaska Native artists. If you are considering purchasing an Alaska Native-made art or craft item, it’s smart to invest a little time learning about the processes and materials Alaska Natives may use to make these unique and beautiful objects. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/ftc-alaska-native-art-4497 Mon, 01 Jan 2007 06:00:00 GMT If you're refinancing your mortgage or applying for a home equity installment loan, you should know about the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 (HOEPA). http://tucson.bbb.org/article/ftc-high-rate-high-fee-loans-hoepasection-32-mortgages-4768 Fri, 01 Dec 2006 06:00:00 GMT It’s not hard to see why ads for business opportunities that promote the benefits of being your own boss and making money quickly are appealing. But the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the government agency that monitors advertising for deception, says that some ads for business opportunities feature empty promises and false claims that potential entrepreneurs could never realize. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/ftc-ads-for-business-opportunities-how-to-detect-deception-4607 Fri, 01 Dec 2006 06:00:00 GMT The Federal Trade Commission staff prepared this business booklet to help finance companies, retailers, and other creditors comply with the Credit Practices Rule, which went into effect March 1, 1985. This booklet tells you what the Credit Practices Rule requires, who must comply, and what transactions are covered. It also discusses liability for rule violations and how exemptions are granted. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/ftc-complying-with-the-credit-practices-rule-4420 Fri, 01 Dec 2006 06:00:00 GMT For many consumers, electronic banking means 24-hour access to cash through an automated teller machine (ATM) or Direct Deposit of paychecks into checking or savings accounts. But electronic banking now involves many different types of transactions. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/ftc-electronic-banking--4646 Fri, 01 Dec 2006 06:00:00 GMT Shopping for gifts can be a real dilemma. Just what do you get the person who has everything: your finicky Aunt Mary, your co-worker, or your child's babysitter? Gift cards may be the answer: one size fits all, and the recipients can get exactly what they want. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/ftc-buying-giving-and-using-gift-cards-4412 Wed, 01 Mar 2006 06:00:00 GMT Internet auction sites give buyers a “virtual” flea market with new and used merchandise from around the world; they give sellers a global storefront from which to market their goods. But the online auction business can be risky business. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) wants to help buyers and sellers stay safe on Internet auction websites. Among the thousands of consumer fraud complaints the FTC receives every year, those dealing with online auction fraud consistently rank near the top of the list. The complaints generally deal with late shipments, no shipments, or shipments of products that aren’t the same quality as advertised; bogus online payment or escrow services; and fraudulent dealers who lure bidders from legitimate auction sites with seemingly better deals. Most complaints involve sellers, but in some cases, the buyers are the subject. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/ftc-internet-auctions-a-guide-for-buyers-and-sellers-4516 Wed, 01 Feb 2006 06:00:00 GMT Whether you’re drawn to the beauty of turquoise and silver jewelry or the earth tone colors of Indian pottery, having some knowledge about American Indian arts and crafts can help you get the most for your money. Be aware also that because Indian arts and crafts are prized and often command higher prices, a few unscrupulous sellers misrepresent imitation arts and crafts as genuine. http://tucson.bbb.org/article/ftc-how-to-buy-genuine-american-indian-arts-and-crafts-4487